Iowa’s corn and soybean condition ratings both dropped three percentage points over the past week, according to the latest Crop Progress and Condition Report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Producers had an average of six days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending Sept. 11. Activities were primarily chopping corn, cutting hay, and seeding cover crops. However, there were scattered reports of combines beginning to roll in some areas. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says, “After a warm and dry week, a shift in the weather pattern brought cooler temperatures and widespread rainfall across Iowa over the weekend. Harvest preparations are in full swing with early harvest activities beginning across portions of the state where drier conditions have been more prevalent.” Corn conditions ratings dipped to 63 percent good to excellent. About 84 percent of Iowa corn has reached the dent stage or beyond, a day behind last year. Nearly a quarter of the crop was mature, two days behind last year and a day behind the five-year average. Roughly half of soybeans were coloring or beyond, and nine percent were dropping leaves, a week behind last year and five days behind average. Soybean conditions fell to 63 percent good to excellent. The full Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report can be found online at www.nass.usda.gov.
